MA Comparative Literature at University of California, Riverside

Programme overview

UCR's graduate program in Comparative Literature is an internationally recognized site for interdisciplinary, multilingual study based on reading texts in their original languages. Faculty work includes gender and sexuality studies, decolonial and postcolonial theory, and comparative ancient civilizations.

Faculty: College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences | Department: Comparative Literature and Foreign Languages | Intake: Fall 2027; deadline January 4 | Study mode: full-time | Location: Riverside, CA, United States

What you will study

Years 1 and 2 cover coursework; in year 2 students form a three-member committee covering three areas of specialization and submit either a portfolio of three revised essays with a 750-1000 word commentary or a 40-50 page thesis, followed by an exam. Proficiency in each language is demonstrated before advancing to MA status.

Career pathways

Recent placements include SUNY Binghamton, Williams College and the University of Washington.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

GRE has been waived for the current cycle but scores are encouraged if available. Graduate Division (university-wide): bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution or recognized international equivalent; minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA (some programs set a higher standard); transcripts, statement of purpose and letters of recommendation; English proficiency (TOEFL iBT or IELTS Academic 7 with no component below 6) unless the prior degree was taught in English; GRE/GMAT only where the program requires it (many no longer do). Source: graduate.ucr.edu/admission-requirements.

UC Riverside operates a quarter system. Summer begins mid-June, Fall late September, Winter early January and Spring late March/early April. Most graduate programmes admit and begin in the Fall quarter only.

New domestic applicants: Fall January 5 (fellowship consideration) / June 1 (admission only), Winter November 1, Spring February 1, Summer May 1. New international applicants: Fall January 5 (fellowship consideration) / June 1 (admission only), Winter September 1, Spring December 1, Summer March 1. A few programmes have deadlines after June 1 and some have earlier programme deadlines. The Winter 2027 and Spring 2027 applications are open for select programmes only; the Summer/Fall 2027 application opened September 1, 2026, with rolling review for most programmes.

Apply through the official page: https://grad.ucr.edu/apply/

Explore more study programmes

Arts & Humanities